Scheduling

There are two ways to schedule any of the required inspections outlined under the "Inspection Types" tab.

1. You may call (302) 858-5500 between the hours of 7:30 to 3:30 Monday through Friday (excluding holidays). Before calling to schedule an inspection, please have the following information ready: project application number, 911 address, contact name, and telephone number.
2. Or, you may submit an online Inspection Request. Please fill out the form completely, then click Submit.

Inspection requests will be scheduled for the earliest available business day. On the day of the scheduled inspection, a County inspector will notify the contact person with an approximate appointment time prior to arriving on site.

Before requesting any inspection, all "third party" reports such as engineered footing reports, piling blow counts, water proofing certificates, stamped truss repairs, and energy certificate reports must be emailed to our Inspection Office at buildinginspections@sussexcountyde.gov. Application number must be included.

Any requested inspection failing to provide any of the above-mentioned reports will not be scheduled.

Holiday Schedule

The Sussex County Building Code office is closed for the following holidays in 2023:

New Year's Day, Jan. 2
Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, Jan. 16
Good Friday, April 7
Memorial Day, May 29
Juneteenth, June 19
Independence Day, July 4
Labor Day, Sept. 4
Veterans Day, Nov. 10
Thanksgiving, Nov. 23 and Nov. 24
Christmas, Dec. 25 and Dec. 26

Please note, there may be days inspections will not be performed due to inclement weather, meetings, training, or other factors. On any of these days, requested inspections will be scheduled for the next business day. Those requesting inspections are asked to give the Building Code Inspection Office at least 24 hours notice in advance of a requested inspection date/time. If you have any questions, please contact the Building Code Inspection Office at (302) 858-5500.

Single- and Multi-Family Dwelling Projects, including Modular Homes

FOOTING INSPECTION ***

To be made prior to placing concrete in all forms, trenches, piers, post holes, structural slabs, etc. Bottom of all footings must be a minimum of 24” inches below finished grade and a minimum 12” inches below original grade, (pole buildings must be a minimum 36” inches below grade) unless designed by a Delaware architect or engineer. Any re-bar and reinforcement must be tied and in place before placement of concrete. Re-bar is recommended, but not required, unless designed by a Delaware architect or engineer. All footings must be free of debris, organic material and water. Concrete shall not be placed on frozen soil.

*** A separate inspection is required for conditioned spaces built as slab on grade to verify perimeter insulation board.

FRAMING INSPECTION

To be made after building is weather tight and after all electrical and plumbing work has been installed and inspected. All mechanical ducts and boots must be installed and sealed. All draft stopping and fire blocking around pipes, vents, wiring, chimneys, etc., must be completed. Framing inspection to be conducted before exterior covering is installed. No insulation is to be installed before framing inspection passes. Basement waterproofing must be complete and certification must be provided to the Building Code Office, prior to scheduling the inspection. All pre-engineered products and building components, including, but not limited to, trusses; I-joists; and structural, composite, lumber, and steel beams; must have certification from manufacturer and be on site for inspector review. Pole buildings require a framing inspection for header connectors prior to any exterior or interior wall covering is installed. Plant-built portions of modular homes do not require a framing inspection, but are required a "Close-In" inspection after the units are set and before mating walls have exterior covering installed. Any site-built portions of a modular home project are still required a framing inspection.

ENERGY INSPECTIONS

A copy of the energy compliance form ("Res-Check") must be on site. Before any drywall is installed, the building envelope must be sealed from all air drafts and all insulation properly installed. All thermal stickers for doors and windows must be in place. (Modular homes to have all air gaps in mating walls sealed and any site-built portion such as: finished Cape Cods, rooms over garages, additional living spaces, etc.) As of 11/11/2014, all new homes must have a blower door test and a permanent certificate must be completed and posted in or around the electric box before final inspection. A duct leakage test is required in new homes where there is duct system in unconditioned space.

FINAL INSPECTION

To be made after ALL work is completed and electrical and plumbing have been inspected. Site work must be completed to have proper drainage away from structure. (Seeding and landscaping not required.) Gutters and downspouts must be installed. 911 addresses must be posted. (Builder or owner must provide ladders to gain access to attic areas, if applicable.)

County-approved plans must be kept on job site for inspector's review to receive an inspection.

Single-Family Additions, Porches, Decks, Attached or Detached Garages/Sheds

FOOTING INSPECTION

To be made prior to placing concrete in all forms, trenches, piers, post holes, structural slabs, etc. Bottom of all footings must be a minimum of 24” inches below finished grade and a minimum 12” inches below original grade, (pole buildings must be a minimum 36” inches below grade) unless designed by a Delaware architect or engineer. Any re-bar and reinforcement must be tied and in place before placement of concrete. Re-bar is recommended, but not required, unless designed by a Delaware architect or engineer. All footings must be free of debris, organic material and water. Concrete shall not be placed on frozen soil.

*** A separate inspection is required for conditioned spaces built as slab on grade to verify perimeter insulation board.

FRAMING INSPECTION

To be made after building is weather tight and after all electrical and plumbing work has been installed and inspected. All mechanical ducts and boots must be installed and sealed. All draft stopping and fire blocking around pipes, vents, wiring, chimneys, etc., must be completed. Framing inspection to be conducted before exterior covering is installed. No insulation is to be installed before framing inspection passes. Basement waterproofing must be complete and certification must be provided to the Building Code Office, prior to scheduling the inspection. All pre-engineered products and building components, including but not limited to, trusses; I-joists; and structural, composite, lumber, and steel beams; must have certification from manufacturer and be on site for inspector review. Pole buildings require a framing inspection for header connections prior to any exterior or interior wall covering to be installed.

ENERGY INSPECTIONS (CONDITIONED ADDITIONS & ACCESSORY STRUCTURES ONLY)

A copy of the energy compliance form ("Res-Check") must be on site. Before any drywall is installed, the building envelope must be sealed from all air drafts and all insulation properly installed. All thermal stickers for doors and windows must be in place.

FINAL INSPECTION

To be made after ALL work is completed and electrical and plumbing have been inspected. Site work must be completed to have proper drainage away from structure. (Seeding and landscaping not required.) Gutters and downspouts must be installed. 911 addresses must be posted. (Builder or owner must provide ladders to gain access to attic areas, if applicable.)

County-approved plans must be kept on job site for inspector's review to receive an inspection.

Commercial Inspection Requirements

FOUNDATION INSPECTION

To be made prior to placing concrete in all footings, trenches, piers, post holes, structural slabs, etc. All reinforcement must be tied and in place. All footings must be free of debris, organic material and water. Concrete shall not be placed on frozen soil. In cold weather pours, insulating or thermal blankets must be on site to protect from freezing.

PRE-SLAB INSPECTION

Required for all interior slab areas. Perimeter insulation installed prior to pouring slab. Plastic vapor barrier installed and in place. Welded Wire Fabric or Fiber Mesh as per approved plans.

FRAMING INSPECTION

To be made after the roof, all framing, bracing, & draft/fire stopping is in place. All pipes, chimneys/chases, electrical wiring and vents are complete and before any insulation is installed. Framing inspection to be conducted before exterior covering is installed to verify building wrap, door & window flashing is installed properly. Rough electrical and plumbing inspections must be received and approvals must be on site before scheduling a framing inspection.

ENERGY INSPECTION

Energy compliance form ("Com-Check") must be on site. Building envelope sealed from all air drafts and insulation properly installed. Thermal stickers for doors and windows must be in place.

FINAL INSPECTION

To be made after the building/project is completed, stocked, and ready for occupancy. Rough grade for proper drainage away from structure with gutters and downspouts installed. Handicap parking space(s) and signage defined and in place. 911 addresses must be posted. All final inspections as required for electrical, plumbing, fire marshal, DelDOT, etc. must be received and approvals must be on site before scheduling a final inspection.

County-approved plans must be kept on job site for inspector's review to receive an inspection.

Manufactured Home Inspection Requirements

FOOTING INSPECTION

To be made prior to placing concrete in footers and once all reinforcement is tied in place. All footings must be free of debris, organic material and water. Concrete shall not be placed on frozen soil. In cold weather pours, insulating or thermal blankets must be on site to protect from freezing.

ADDITIONAL INSPECTIONS

Required ONLY in Flood Zone (after the footing is poured and before the tie down)

• Pier #1 - Reinforcing bars installed in footing up through block pier set & cores open for inspection
• Pier #2  - Pier cores filled with concrete prior to cap being set
• Pier #3 - Unit set with pier caps on & parged with fiber bonding material

TIE DOWN INSPECTION

To be made prior to the skirting being installed.

FINAL INSPECTION

Final electric and plumbing stickers on site (this includes electric service and drain only hook ups). Skirting is installed. 911 address is posted and there are stairs in place to access the home.